Notices by Dr. Heather Etchevers (etche_homo@mas.to)

Suspended particles of dust from the Sahara have once more made huge inroads into Europe through strong winds. The sky is more apocalyptic than my cell phone allows it to capture (grrr unwanted "correction" built in). Later, it will rain fine gritty mud. And desertification progresses while people bitch about their car paint finish getting scratched. I will have to wear an N95 just to step out of the house even with no people around. 😑
https://earthsky.org/earth/sahara-dust-storm-orange-skies-africa-europe/

What a difference a few minutes make.
#silentSunday

I wanted to pin this guide to Americans wishing to access banned books. Not risk-free online, but a start. Please share.
https://sfba.social/@morgandawn/111942245094154180

@ScienceCommunicator @ljrk @lisamelton @beunice The power differential makes the difference. Humans with coercive power tend to set themselves as the norm and those they find outside it are, in their view, subordinate. It's not that women find other women superior to men but rather, reminding the world that ignoring our talent is an opportunity loss. Same for other disempowered groups. Pride in group members' achievements despite adversity is not inversion of power dynamics.

@inthehands The illiberal approach was applied in my educated but also working-class Boston suburb in 1980 with results now obvious & short-sighted. Reagan's election led to the notorious Proposition 2½ that changed property tax levies in MA and thereby how public schools were funded. It took textbooks, paper, crafts & music/theatre personnel out of our schools. Both quickly exacerbated economic inequalities; we went on food stamps but I got scholarships then that no longer exist.

@jimcarroll Which one was it?